MISSOURI

Missouri nicknamed The Show-Me State—is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. Missouri is the 21st most extensive and the 18th most populous of the 50 United States. Missouri comprises 114 counties and the independent city of St. Louis.

Missouri’s geography is highly varied. The northern part of the state lies in dissected till plains while the southern part lies in the Ozark Mountains (a dissected plateau), with the Missouri River dividing the two. The state lies at the intersection of the three greatest rivers of North America, with the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers near St. Louis, and the confluence of the Ohio River with the Mississippi north of the Bootheel

The nickname for Missouri is The Show Me State. There are several stories concerning the origin of the “show me” slogan. The most widely known story gives credit to Missouri’s U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver for coining the phrase in 1899. During a speech in Philadelphia, he said:

“I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.”

The phrase is now used to describe the character of Missourians – not gullible – conservative and unwilling to believe without adequate evidence.

Capital: Jefferson City

Best Time of Visit:

Missouri is an economical destination year-round. As a family destination, the busiest months are July and June (in that order), when kids are out of school and the weather is warm.

The least popular time is during the coldest months of January and February. Spring and fall are less busy than summer but have pleasant, mild weather. The autumn also brings fall foliage season.

High season: June to July, low season: December to February, shoulder season: March to May, August to November

Min Days Required: 4 days

Places of Interest:

Branson

Today it is sometimes referred to as a “family-friendly Las Vegas” because of the numerous shows and attractions, as well as the flashy building decorations and neon lights. The “strip” as it has been named, draws people from far and wide.

If shows are not your thing then check out one of the three lakes Branson has to offer. Lake Taneycomo’s clear cold waters provide some of the finest trout fishing available anywhere in the world. Table Rock Lake as well as Bull Shoals Lake offers a variety of recreational activities including hiking, sightseeing, hunting, skin diving, fishing, and water sports such as swimming, boating, water skiing etc.

Maybe it is Golfing that swings your attention. Branson has an array of golf courses sure to please the newest beginner to the most professional golfer.

Places of Interest: Sights & Sounds Theaters, College of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Silver Dollar City, Titanic Museum

Jefferson City: Missouri State Penitentiary, Museum of Missouri Military History, Runge Conservation Nature Center

Kansas City

Barbecue and bebop, fountains and boulevards — if these are some of your favorite things, then head for Kansas City. Straddling the Missouri-Kansas line, the city has a rich historical and cultural heritage and makes for an interesting destination. The strong European feel of the city comes through in the over 200 fountains and many shaded boulevards of the city. Come and be charmed by this rather unusual Midwestern city.

Places of Interest: Worlds of Fun, Kansas City Zoological Park, Kauffman Stadium, Gateway Arch, Crown center

Columbia: Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, The Blue Note, Finger Lakes State Park, The Candy Factory, University of Missouri – Columbia, Francis Quadrangle

Climate:

Missouri has variable weather conditions—sometimes rapidly changing, sometimes stable.

They also vary geographically. In general, summers are long and humid with average daily temperatures ranging from 78 to 80 degrees across the state.

Winters are fairly brisk with average daily temperatures during January ranging from 25 degrees in the northwest to 34 degrees in the southeast.

Most rain falls during spring and autumn in the southeast, and during May through August in the northwest when most of the crops grow.

Currency: US Dollars

Things to carry:

Summertime, bring the lightest clothing you have, it gets HOT here.

Winters can be brutally cold, but only for a few days. Rain gear is handy to have all year around.

Spring and fall are the best times, light clothing with a light jacket for night.

How to get there:

Air:

Many major airlines serve both Kansas City and St. Louis.

St. Louis and Kansas city do not offer overseas flights. There are a few flights from these two airports from Mexico and Canada. Springfield, Columbia, Cape Girardeau and Joplin also have airports that provide passenger service.